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Heimir Hallgrímsson

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Heimir Hallgrímsson
Heimir with Jamaica in 2023
Personal information
Full name Heimir Hallgrímsson[1]
Date of birth (1967-06-10) 10 June 1967 (age 59)[2]
Place of birth Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland[1]
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Republic of Ireland (head coach)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1986–1992 ÍBV 93 (0)
1993 Höttur 17 (3)
1994–1996 ÍBV 26 (0)
1996–1997 Smástund 20 (10)
1998–2007 KFS 48 (10)
Total 204 (23)
Managerial career
1993 Höttur (women's)
1999–2001 ÍBV (women's)
2002 ÍBV (men's)
2003–2004 ÍBV (women's)
2006–2011 ÍBV (men's)
2013–2018 Iceland
2018–2021 Al-Arabi
2022–2024 Jamaica
2024– Republic of Ireland
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Iceland (as manager)
China Cup
Runner-up2017 Nanning
Representing  Jamaica (as manager)
CONCACAF Nations League
Bronze medal – third place2024 United States
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Heimir Hallgrímsson (born 10 June 1967) is an Icelandic professional football manager, former player, and dentist who is the current manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team.

He played football for amateur, semi-professional, and lower-tier regional football clubs. He then coached amateur clubs, Iceland, Al-Arabi in Qatar, and Jamaica, prior to Ireland.

Early life

[edit]

Heimir was born on 10 June 1967, and grew up in a family of six children on the island of Heimaey. His father ran a business repairing fishing nets.[3] Heimir originally studied computer science at Reykjavík University with the aim of becoming a software engineer,[4] but later qualified in dentistry, and worked as a dentist in Heimaey.[3][5]

Career

[edit]

Heimir played for amateur, semi-professional, and lower-tier regional football clubs. He started playing for the men's football department of the ÍBV multi-sport club from his local town Vestmannaeyjar in 1986. He played with them until 1996 except for the 1993 season in which he played for the Höttur sports club in Iceland while managing their women's team. From 1996 until 2007 he played lower league football with another club from Vestmannaeyjar, from 1996 to 1997 he played with Smástund and from 1998 with KFS, the merged team of Smástund and another lower league team from Vestmannaeyjar called Framherjar. From 2002 to 2007 his appearances were sporadic.[6]

Throughout his playing career, he also served as the dentist for his village, and even after taking reign over the Icelandic national team after Euro 2016.[5] In the summer of 2016, he cared for a player who had a tooth knocked out at a local women's game he was attending, going on the pitch and putting the tooth back in place, and then making the tooth repair at his dental office.[7]

Coaching career

[edit]

Club

[edit]

In 1993, while playing with the men's senior team of Höttur, he coached their women's team; the team came first in the second tier and achieved promotion. While working as a dentist in Vestmannaeyjar,[8] he started coaching the town's women's senior team, ÍBV, guiding them towards the top of the Icelandic women's Premier league, gaining places in the table each year.[9][10] In 2002, he was hired as assistant coach for the men's team of ÍBV, and was their coach for the last games of the season after the previous coach was dismissed; the team finished 7th.[11][12] In 2003, he again took over the women's team, guiding them to two 2nd-place finishes in the league and two cup finals, with ÍBV winning the second one in 2004.[10]

He did not coach any club in 2005, but again took over as the coach for the ÍBV men's team mid-season in 2006, managing the team in the last 6 matches. He failed to prevent relegation; the team came in 10th.[10][13] He remained this time as coach and the team was promoted in the 2008 season. They finished 10th out of 12 in the top division in 2009 but achieved two 3rd-place finishes in a row in 2010 and 2011.[10]

Iceland

[edit]

On 14 October 2011, KSÍ appointed Heimir as assistant coach of the Iceland national football team alongside Lars Lagerbäck as coach.[14] Iceland qualified for the play-off stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification. However, Iceland lost there to Croatia.[15]

Heimir faced media and fan skepticism regarding his professional credentials due to his dual career as a practicing dentist.[16] He continued working as a dentist even after joining the national team as an assistant and eventual joint manager.[17]

Iceland reached their first major tournament by qualifying for Euro 2016. In the tournament finals, Iceland recorded 1–1 draws in their first two group stage matches against Portugal and Hungary. They then advanced from their group with a 2–1 victory against Austria.[18] Iceland qualified for the tournament's quarter-finals after a 2–1 upset win over England in the Round of 16, which led to England manager Roy Hodgson resigning immediately after the final whistle.[19] However, they were eliminated by host nation France in the quarter-finals, 5–2.[20]

After Euro 2016, he became the sole coach of Iceland, with Lagerbäck becoming coach of Norway.[15][21] Iceland qualified for the 2018 World Cup, their first ever appearance in the world championship and their second major tournament overall. Iceland were drawn to play Croatia, Argentina, and Nigeria in a group that was considered by some as the "group of death", in which Iceland did not do well.[22][23] Despite a challenging group, Iceland were tipped to advance from the group by some journalist websites, based on their performance in Euro 2016.[24] Their maiden match at the World Cup was against 2014 runners-up Argentina, with Iceland holding Argentina to a 1–1 draw.[25][26] However, their chances of advancing from the group were hurt following a 2–0 loss to Nigeria, with several missed opportunities in the first half and a penalty kick in the second half missed by Gylfi Sigurðsson, putting Iceland in position to play a decisive match against already qualified Croatia.[27][28] Iceland lost to Croatia in their final group game and were eliminated. Iceland finished at the bottom of the group with a single point.[29][30]

Heimir resigned on 17 July 2018 after the team's group-stage exit at World Cup.[31]

Al-Arabi

[edit]

On 10 December 2018, Heimir was hired as head coach for Al-Arabi in Qatar. His contract was for 2+1⁄2 years or until summer of 2021. His teams came in 6th, 7th, and 6th in the QNB Stars League.[32][33]

Jamaica

[edit]

In September 2022, the Jamaican Football Federation announced Heimir as the new coach of the Jamaican national team,[34] but he resigned after the Reggae Boyz performed poorly at the 2024 Copa América,[35][36] even though he had signed a contract to coach the team through the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign.[37]

Oral Tracey of Television Jamaica, one of the biggest networks in the country, said: "I think the coach disrespected Jamaica. He was contracted and agreed to pilot Jamaica’s 2026 World Cup bid. And after two games he was gone. Obviously ... he had one foot in and one foot out. When you look at some of the team selections and substitutions for those two games we have to wonder."[37][38]

Ireland

[edit]

On 10 July 2024, the Football Association of Ireland announced Heimir as the new coach of the Republic of Ireland national team.[8][39]

On 17 November 2024, his Ireland side suffered a 5–0 defeat to England in the UEFA Nations League at Wembley Stadium, which was an all-time record defeat against their rivals.[40]

In September 2025, the Republic of Ireland opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a 2–2 draw at home to 10-man Hungary before losing 2–1 away to Armenia, who were 105th in the FIFA World Rankings.[41][42][43] However, the team won three straight victories over all their group opponents, earning a spot in the qualification second round after a last-gasp 3–2 away win against Hungary.[44][45]

On 26 March 2026, the Republic of Ireland lost 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw against Czechia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification play-off semi-final.[46][47]

In March 2026, Heimir signed a contact to remain as Republic of Ireland manager until after Euro 2028.[48]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 4 October 2026
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Iceland ÍBV (men's) 31 August 2002 31 December 2002 3111033.33
Iceland ÍBV (men's) 2 August 2006 31 December 2011 131711941054.20
Iceland Iceland (joint manager) 25 November 2013 3 July 2016 3214711043.75
Iceland Iceland 3 July 2016 17 July 2018 251168044.00
Qatar Al-Arabi 10 December 2018 30 June 2021 68241925035.29
Jamaica Jamaica 16 September 2022 30 June 2024 2810711035.71
Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland 10 July 2024 Present 251087040.00
Total 31114167103045.34

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 "Iceland - H. Hallgrímsson". Soccerway.com.
  2. ↑ HALLGRIMSSON Heimir. FIFA.com.
  3. 1 2 Lyall, Sarah (14 June 2018). "With a Coach Who Pulls Teeth to Relax, Iceland Becomes a Contender". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  4. ↑ "Dental News - Post-FIFA: Heimir Hallgrímsson to return ..." Dental Tribune International. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  5. 1 2 Harper, Davis (30 January 2016). "Volcano! The incredible rise of Iceland's national football team". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrímsson - Knattspyrnusamband Íslands". ksi.is. Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  7. ↑ Henry Birgir Gunnarsson (10 August 2016). "Landsliðsþjálfarinn bjargaði leikmanni Fylkis". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  8. 1 2 FAI make shock manager appointment as Iceland's Heimir Hallgrímsson is unveiled as new Ireland boss, 10 July 2024, retrieved 10 July 2024
  9. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrímsson" (in Icelandic). Heimaslóð. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Heimir Hallgrímsson - Knattspyrnusamband Íslands". ksi.is. Archived from the original on 6 August 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  11. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrímsson ráðinn aðstoðarþjálfari hjá ÍBV" (in Icelandic). mbl.is. 4 January 2002. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrímsson þjálfar ÍBV í næstu leikjum" (in Icelandic). mbl.is. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  13. ↑ "Heimir tekur við liði ÍBV" (in Icelandic). timarit.is/Morgunblaðið. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  14. ↑ "Lagerback tekur við landsliðinu (Staðfest)" (in Icelandic). Fótbolti.net. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  15. 1 2 "Lagerbäck og Heimir áfram með landsliðið" (in Icelandic). Morgunblaðið. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  16. ↑ Ames, Nick (24 May 2016). "Meet Heimir Hallgrimsson, Iceland's co-manager and practicing dentist". ESPN.
  17. ↑ Lyall, Sarah (14 June 2018). "With a Coach Who Pulls Teeth to Relax, Iceland Becomes a Contender". The New York Times.
  18. ↑ Ough, Tom (22 June 2016). "Iceland 2–1 Austria, Euro 2016: Rearguard action and late winner set up England tie for competition's smallest nation". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  19. ↑ Wallace, Sam (27 June 2016). "England 1 Iceland 2, Euro 2016 – Humiliation as Joe Hart clanger sees Roy Hodgson's men crash out in Nice". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  20. ↑ Smyth, Rob (3 July 2016). "France 5–2 Iceland: Euro 2016 quarter-final – as it happened". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 8 July 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  21. ↑ "Lagerbäck: Vil ljúka ferlinum á stórmóti" (in Icelandic). Morgunblaðið. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  22. ↑ "Fifa World Cup 2018 group of death: This is the toughest draw". Evening Standard. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  23. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  24. ↑ "World Cup Russia 2018: For Iceland, anything is possible". Deutsche Welle. 30 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  25. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Argentina - Iceland". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  26. ↑ "World Cup 2018: Debutants Iceland hold Argentina to 1-1 draw". BBC Sport. 16 June 2018. Archived from the original on 18 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  27. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Nigeria - Iceland". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  28. ↑ Glendenning, Barry (22 June 2018). "Nigeria 2-0 Iceland: World Cup 2018 – as it happened". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 18 July 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  29. ↑ "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Matches - Iceland - Croatia". www.fifa.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  30. ↑ "World Cup 2018: Iceland out after defeat by group winners Croatia". BBC Sport. 26 June 2018. Archived from the original on 4 December 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  31. ↑ "Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson quits after country's first World Cup". BBC. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  32. ↑ "Iceland's Hallgrimsson to coach at Qatar's Al-Arabi". 10 December 2018.
  33. ↑ "Heimir ráðinn þjálfari al Arabi - Vísir". 12 October 2018.
  34. ↑ "Heimer Hallgrímsson hired to coach Jamaica's national team". Associated Press News. 16 September 2022.
  35. ↑ "Hallgrímsson resigns as Reggae Boyz coach". Jamaica Observer. July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  36. ↑ "Hallgrímsson resigns following Reggae Boyz' disappointing Copa America campaign". Caribbean National Weekly. July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  37. 1 2 Whelan, Vincent (16 July 2024). "Jamaican TV host wants drastic punishment slapped on Heimir Hallgrimsson after 'disrespectful' exit to Ireland". The Irish Sun.
  38. ↑ Boyle, Callum (16 July 2024). "Jamaican TV host loses it after Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland appointment". SportsJOE.ie.
  39. ↑ "Hallgrimsson named new Republic of Ireland manager". BBC Sport. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  40. ↑ "England 5-0 Republic of Ireland: Lee Carsley goes out on a high as Three Lions promoted back to League A of UEFA Nations League". Sky Sports.
  41. ↑ "Republic of Ireland 2 Hungary 2". BBC Sport. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  42. ↑ "World Cup hopes shattered as Ireland shocked by Armenia". RTE Sport. 9 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  43. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrimsson 'dead man walking' for maligned Republic of Ireland". RTE Sport. 10 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
  44. ↑ Gault, Matt (16 November 2025). "Republic of Ireland stun Hungary to reach play-offs". BBC Sport.
  45. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrimsson not looking beyond World Cup with Ireland". RTE Sport. 18 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
  46. ↑ "Prague penalties put a pin in Ireland's World Cup dream". RTE Sport. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  47. ↑ "'It's just pain' - Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson devastated by World Cup play-off defeat". RTE Sport. 27 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2026.
  48. ↑ "Heimir Hallgrimsson extends Republic of Ireland deal as squad is named for World Cup play-off with Czechia". RTE Sport. 19 March 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
[edit]
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